Scale Model Wildlife Trophy Display System

ABSTRACT

Scale model fish and wildlife replicas are mounted on rectangular shaped bases and can be displayed individually, attached to one another by using a dog-bone clip or pin, or slid into a vertical, or wall mounted base unit capable of holding 5, 10, or more replicas. The top and bottom edges of the replica mounting base and the inside edges of the slots on the wall mount base, are angled to allow the user to slid the mounted replica into the base unit easily, resulting in a secure mount. The replica mounting bases and the wall-mounted bases will be made of wood, and/or various plastics or resins using current processes. The back side of the replica mounting bases have slots to attach the dog-bone clips, and a slot to hang on a nail, or other device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on provisional application No. 61/473,033, filed on Apr. 7, 2011; the priority of which is claimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH or DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the technical field of devices used to display wildlife trophies, and more specifically, to devices especially adapted to display scale model fish and game animal replicas, on a vertical surface or attached to a vertical device. This system also allows the means to identify the species and the circumstances in obtaining the trophy or replica that is displayed.

Existing display and mounting systems for aquatic replicas, deer antler replicas, or game bird replicas, are well known in prior art. These systems often are designed to individually and separately mount and showcase only one type of trophy or replica at a time; and, the vertical mounting for such displays is generally complicated and not easily accomplished. It can take a considerable amount of time to securely mount a trophy display, and should the user choose to switch the trophy replica with another, it can be time consuming.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is designed to display scale model replicas of fish or wildlife that the sportsman has hunted for, or fished for, or wildlife that has been observed while outdoors, and can be used readily for educational displays. By using scale model replicas of fish and wildlife and using this display method, the user can readily purchase and display many different replicas with very little effort, and switch them with around on the mounting system easily, and display a large variety in a small space.

One object of the invention is to provide a wildlife display system which allows for the simultaneous display of multiple types of aquatic, wildlife, or game replicas within one trophy base unit in an organized method. This invention provides a display system capable of easily removing, and placing replicas into the base unit that is hassle-free and easily accomplished. The replicas can be removed, studied at close proximity, and replaced with ease.

Another object of the invention allows the user to display one or more replicas without using the vertical mounted base unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means of identifying the species for each replica. The user can easily label each individual replica as to what it is and where it was obtained, either by hunting, fishing, or location of where it was observed. Any one viewing the displays would be able to gain information about the replicas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS (3 FIGURES)

FIG. 1 Assembly view of the vertical mount base unit (10) and the replica mount (38). The beveled slot (20) for holding (38), Partition or edge (40). Information tag (50), 3-dimensional wildlife replica (34)

FIG. 2 Individual replica mount (38), 3-dimensional wildlife replica (34), top beveled edge (32), bottom beveled edge (36)

FIG. 3 Side view of vertical mount base unit (10), Beveled top of slot (22), Beveled bottom of slot (24), Beveled slot (20)

FIG. 3A Replica backing (38) and dog-bone connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, This is the vertically mounted scale model trophy display system. Scale model replicas of wildlife (34) (fish are shown in FIG. 1) are attached to a backing or mount (38). These individual mounts (38) can be inserted into slot (20). The wall or vertical mount base unit (10), will be constructed to accept multiple replicas (38) up to 5 or more. The base unit (10) can be manufactured to have slots (20) that can also accept 10, 20 or more replicas. With over 200 freshwater species of fish, and many more saltwater varieties, the wall mount unit (10) can vary in size according to demand. The base unit (10 can be mounted on a vertical surface, such as a wall. Any hanging bracket (not shown) can be attached to the back of the base unit (10) and then attached to the wall or vertical surface or device. There are many means of attaching the device to a wall for display purposes.

The actual size of the display system can be varied according to the scale used to create the replicas (34) that are attached to mount (38). The preferred size of the three-dimensional replica (34) will vary based on species and size of the display system as a whole. By utilizing one size of base unit (10), replica mount (38), and the corresponding scale model replica, there can be some variances in the size of the replica. However, most of the replicas will be sized to fit the mount (38) and the base (10), even though the species can vary in size compared to each other.

The three-dimensional replicas (34) can be constructed of molded plastics or other means and materials currently being used in production of such items. The base unit (10) and replica mount (38) can be constructed of wood, or wood material, or can be made by current methods of injection molding or blow-molding processes using various plastics or resins. The molding process will preferably resemble wood graining. Tolerances between the base unit (10) and replica mount (38) are not critical, as long as the mount slides into the base easily with just a little pressure from the user. This will make production less expensive.

The scale model wildlife replica (34) can be attached (not shown) to the mount (38) by normal means employed in trophy display mounting, including, but not limited to, a threaded device, simple screws, a bracket, or an adhesive material.

In FIG. 2, the beveled edges (32) and (36) on replica mount (38) are intended to correspond to the angles on beveled top edge (22) and bottom edge (24) on angled slot (20) on the base unit (10), in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, these angled edges, (22) and (24), and (32) and (36) should be the same angle of approximately 25 degrees, but can be varied.

FIG. 3A shows how the replicas can be displayed individually without the base unit (10). Each replica mount (38) will have a recess (X) manufactured or molded in the top edge of the mount. A bracket, nail, or screw can be mounted on the wall and the mount (38) can be attached to it.

FIG. 3A also shows how to connect two or more replica backings (38) together without using a base unit (10). A recess (Z) will be manufactured or molded into replica mount (38) and a dog-bone connector (Y) will be inserted into (Z) each mount. These connectors will be made of a plastic like material. The shape of the connector (Y) can vary with manufacturers capability and cost.

In FIG. 1, the identification tag (50) is provided for identifying the species that is being displayed. The information on tag (50) can include, but not limited to, name of species, location where caught or observed, or hunted, date of event, and weight. Supplying this information ensures a proper record of details of the event to the user and any admirers of the display. The tag (50) can be made of a paper material, but can be also constructed of other material and attached with available methods. This tag can be filled out by the user, or engraved by another, depending on user desire.

This invention is not restricted to aquatic replicas, it may include replicas of big-game animals, waterfowl, upland birds, song birds, and dogs and cats, and fur-bearers of all areas of the United States, including wildlife of foreign countries.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, there is some existence of variations and combinations of specific embodiment, method, and examples herein, The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

1-6. (canceled)
 7. This invention will allow the user to purchase scale model replicas of various game birds, game animals, and fish species and display them individually, attached to one another, or in multiple configurations on a wall mount base unit. With over 400 fresh and salt water fish species and many more species of waterfowl, birds, and animals, the user can display many kinds of replicas, and organize them easily into groups. The current art is for displaying full size or natural mounts.
 8. The scale model wildlife replicas will be purchased from a manufacturer and attached to the replica mount. The replica mount and the wall mount base unit (of this invention) will be manufactured out of a wood product, and/or various plastics or resins, using current manufacturing processes. Using resins or plastics, the process will produce a wood-grain like appearance on the bases.
 9. This invention also allows the user to display an individual wildlife replica without the need for a base unit, and two or more replicas can be attached to one another by use of a dog-bone connector allowing the user to organize the replicas for display purposes. 